BRITON Chris Froome won his second Tour de France title in three years Sunday to enhance his growing reputation as a grand tour specialist.

    It was Team Sky’s third Tour triumph in four years after Bradley Wiggins prevailed in 2012 before Froome succeeded him in 2013.

    “The Maillot Jaune is special, very special,” Froome said, using the yellow jersey’s French name.

    “I understand its history, good and bad,” he said.

    The Tour is still French. But British riders have won three of the last four: Bradley Wiggins in 2012 and now two for Froome, following his first win in 2013. That puts Britain equal with the United States, with three from Greg LeMond — and minus seven stripped from Armstrong.

    Under suitably British weather, on rain-slickened roads, Froome took it easy on the last stage, his work done having grimly resisted Colombian Nairo Quintana’s late assault on his hard-won Tour lead the previous day on the final Alpine ascent.

    The tired 160 riders didn’t bother racing for much of the largely flat 110-kilometer ramble from Sevres, in the French capital’s southwest.

    To minimize risk of crashes, Tour organizers stopped the clock early, on the first of 10 laps up and down the Champs-Elysees’ cobblestones.

    But knowing the title was his, he didn’t have to panic when a paper bag got stuck in his back wheel. He simply stopped and changed bikes. He also had time to raise a glass of Champagne in the saddle and stop to put on a raincoat under the iconic yellow jersey.

    In a repeat of 2013, Quintana was again runner-up. But the margin was much smaller this time: 1 minute, 12 seconds, the tightest win since 2008.

    Third-placed Alejandro Valverde, Quintana’s Movistar teammate, made the podium for the first time, moving up from fourth last year.(SD-Agencies)